[University of Mu, 2038]

LECTURER
Miss Berendin, have you found someone for a group project yet?

LUCIDIA
Negative, Teacher.

LECTURER
How peculiar. I thought you had gathered a considerable crowd around you?

LUCIDIA
They were unfit for my proposed time schedule.

Teacher, I do not understand. I can easily complete this assignment alone. Why the need to make a team?

LECTURER
Oh dear… Miss Berendin. Lady Finnai and The Grandmaster have expressed major concerns about your inability to work with others. Team experience is vital in any situation.

LUCIDIA
Many good minds are more effective than a single brilliant one. I know as much.

However, the majority of those who approached me cannot be considered ‘good minds’. They’re complete amateurs. Far below my level. I daresay some are looking to mooch off my hard work. Such will only drag down the project.

LECTURER
Well… if that's the case. I think I can recommend you someone. Wait here for a moment.

[The lecturer opens a door and brings in a student.]

LECTURER
Meet Noelle Holiday.

NOELLE
Hello! Nice to meet you, um, Lucidia of House Berendin. I heard… you need help?

LUCIDIA
Accessing profile… Noelle Holiday, ranked among the Top 30 of her year. Also my fellow classmate for this course.

LECTURER
That’s correct! But it’s what’s not recorded in her profile that makes her an especially good fit.

I received a letter of recommendation for her wonderful track record in cooperation. She has plenty of experience in group projects, with stronger and weaker students alike. She’s mature, hardworking, and clearheaded: I believe you’ll find her to be a good starting point for your future endeavours in cooperation.

LUCIDIA
Those traits would make her a choice candidate. I’m surprised that no one selected her yet.

NOELLE
Hahaha… Um… Thanks for the praise? I had many offers, but I wanted to see who would benefit the most from my assistance.

LUCIDIA
I see. Your actions do match your reputation.

LECTURER
See? Why don’t you two work together then? I’m sure you’ll make a wonderful team.

* * *

[University of Mu, 2038.]

NOELLE
Wow… I didn’t expect to have this much free time left over. I thought the first year would be suffocating.

LUCIDIA
It’s because we remained on schedule. Thank you for your cooperation, Noelle.

NOELLE
It’s no problem at all! I’m happy to be your partner.

LUCIDIA
Please, have some tea.

NOELLE
Thank you.

[The girls share tea and biscuits.]

NOELLE
I have some, um, questions… if you don’t mind.

LUCIDIA
Sure. You may ask.

NOELLE
Do you really need THREE whole screens?

LUCIDIA
I prefer it so. It’s much easier to cross reference research without having to switch tabs.

NOELLE
It looks confusing to me. Hahaha. I might end up getting distracted.

Um, your manner of speech… was it always this mechanical? I found it particularly noticeable on our first meeting. You remind me of a motherbrain.

LUCIDIA
…It tends to happen when I’m under stress. I know it causes unease, so I try to speak normally whenever I can.

NOELLE
So that day… you were nervous?

LUCIDIA
Yes. Although the professors paint a cheery picture of teamwork, the statistics indicate otherwise. Too many people lamented about bearing the workload of slacking teammates.

I cannot afford to fail any of these courses. It would put my future plans in jeopardy. Hence, I was prepared to solo everything.

NOELLE
Future plans? I thought you’re going to become a Chronographer.

LUCIDIA
Chronographers typically retire after several decades of service. And some retire after only a couple of years due to complications. Seers like me are expected to live for centuries. I will need to build skills for a different profession in the long-term.

NOELLE
I see. But, don’t you live right at The Spire? I heard they have the best magical education in the world there.

LUCIDIA
The Association’s curriculum is tailored for humans, not monsters. I have also mastered everything they have to offer. Furthermore… this is the only place where no one would bother House Berendin. No excuses can be made if the treasured daughter is studying.

NOELLE
I… understand what you mean. My mom is the mayor of our district. There’s a… certain expectation when you have successful parents.

LUCIDIA
Isn’t your father a househusband?

NOELLE
That’s… technically the truth. But he prefers to call himself a free-spirited artist! He had always been a wood carver and a toymaker. Pull-carts are his number one best-sellers.

LUCIDIA
That sounds adorable. Did you help him out in his workshop before?

NOELLE
Yup! It’s so fun to have my own toy-painting project. Oh, he likes video games too. We’ll play stuff together. Like… Dragon Blazers III! Come to think of it, Dragon Blazers V should be out soon. We still haven’t finished the fourth one yet…

LUCIDIA
It appears that you’re much closer to your father than with your mother.

[Noelle laughs awkwardly.]

NOELLE
I guess it’s obvious. I… really don’t see my mother much.

What about you, Lucidia? Did you have servants? Nannies? I hear that the upper class have all sorts of hired hands.

LUCIDIA
I had a nanny, yes. It was Aunt Janette, Judge Pashowar’s wife. But she was not alone. Grandpa had a direct hand in raising me as soon as I joined the household.

NOELLE
‘Grandpa’? I thought he’s your adoptive father.

LUCIDIA
It’s my way to respect my biological father. Though he’s still alive, I don’t see him much. Since The Grandmaster is my father’s senior in age… I thought it’s more appropriate to address him as my grandfather.

Anyway, Grandpa enjoys cooking in particular, so he’d always be the one who makes my meals. He also does most of the household chores. Improved robotics and mechanization have automated much of the workload, so even an old man like him could manage a vast mansion.

NOELLE
I see, I see. Wow. I never thought that Lord Berendin would do his own housework. He’s pretty ancient, isn’t he? I thought he would be used to having servants.

LUCIDIA
He says that he enjoys the privacy. However, I believe the reason why we no longer keep full-time domestic staff has something to do with me. Monsters are supposed to be extinct in the human realm. It’s difficult enough to keep his identity a secret, let alone a Lichborn child.

NOELLE
Hahaha. Looks like we’re both in the ‘Raised by Dads’ club! Welcome aboard, Lady Lucidia.

LUCIDIA
…You may call me Lucy. If you prefer so…

NOELLE
Oh? Sure! Club members don’t need to be so formal together, right Lucy?

Here’s a toast to our dads!

* * *

[University of Mu, 2040]

LUCIDIA
Noelle? You didn’t show up for class or answer my calls. Is everything alright?

NOELLE
Oh. Um. I…

LUCIDIA
…Preliminary observation indicates that you’ve been crying for at least an hour. Please tell me what happened.

NOELLE
I-it’s my dad. He collapsed in his workshop! A customer called the ambulance, but I haven’t heard anything since.

LUCIDIA
Confirmation: your father is Rudolph Holiday. Correct?

NOELLE
Y-yes. Why do you ask?

LUCIDIA
I believe I came across his name before. He has a chronic illness, does he not?

NOELLE
…Yes. It started when I was in high school. One day, he complained about dizziness and fell. It was just like today.

Doctors said that his Psychia could no longer maintain stable magical output. They put him on medication and magitherapy, but I’m scared that one day the treatment will stop working.

LUCIDIA
……………
I’ve been working on something that may regulate his magical output at the Psychia level. However, this could be a mere cold comfort.

I’m still officially a student and my idea has yet to leave the theoretical phase. I can’t say with confidence that it’s applicable for a clinical trial. If anything happens to your father right now, doctors will only have access to the current conventional treatments.

On the plus side, medicine has improved in leaps and bounds over these last two decades. It’s probable that he’ll be fine.

[Noelle’s phone started to ring.]

NOELLE
O-oh! Excuse me. I’m going to take the call…

Hello?

………

Dad? Dad! Is that REALLY you?… I’m so happy that you’re okay! I’m with Lucy right now. C’mon, I’m a BIG GIRL already!

…Actually. I cried. A LOT. I thought you weren’t going to make it.

Take it easy, okay? I-I’m going to sail back to Lemuria first thing tomorrow.

What about classes? I can write in an emergency leave to the University. But I won’t be able to redo the lessons…

LUCIDIA
Please leave all the logistics to me.

NOELLE
Huh?

LUCIDIA
You do not need a ship either. As a Seer, I can escort you straight into Lemuria. If you need to stay behind to care for your father, I will recount to you everything that you might have missed. You will have shared access to all my notes as well.

Please allow me to extend my royal privileges to you in these times of need.

NOELLE
…You’d do that? I’m so GRATEFUL! Dad, Lucy is gonna help me out! I-I’ll be there soon. So DON’T die on me yet! Ok! I’m gonna go now. Bye bye!

* * *

[University of Mu, 2042]

[Sounds of shuffling clothes and packing luggage alarms Noelle.]

NOELLE
Lucy, stop! Our final exam is next week!

LUCIDIA
I do not care. I must return to the Chronograph right now. House Berendin can discuss with the dean for a new exam date. He’ll understand that this is an emergency.

NOELLE
A-aren’t there others? You’re not the only Chronographer in the world…

LUCIDIA
Noelle. Gaelic is my dear childhood friend. The least I can do is to believe in him.

NOELLE
But you've not seen him for YEARS. He could have changed! E-everyone changes when they grow up. I… I used to be afraid of everything. But now, I travelled all the way from Lemuria to Mu to attend university! See?

LUCIDIA
All the more reason why I must go. I must confirm the changes with my own eyes.

[The suitcase closed. But, Noelle threw herself on it.]

LUCIDIA
Get off.

NOELLE
No!!! I-I don’t want you to get violated by that weird half-beast from the pervert den!

LUCIDIA
Are you serious? You don’t think there’s anything fishy about this? The accuser sailed off to Atlantis at the first opportunity! A real victim wouldn’t have fled!

NOELLE
Maybe they’re afraid of the backlash? I mean… my mom might treat me differently if she discovered that.

LUCIDIA
The only backlash I see here is the exposure of many cowardly malicious liars. I refuse to let them turn Gaelic into an underaged scapegoat.

NOELLE
I just… I just… don’t want to see my friend throw her hard-earned future away.

LUCIDIA
Fine. If you’re so insistent on riding my luggage, I’ll bring you along. We’ll arrange for your new exam date too.

NOELLE
W-what?! Wait!

[Chatter and whispers of other university peers fill the background as Lucidia drags Noelle along on her suitcase. Midway, Lucidia met with The Grandmaster.]

LUCIDIA
Grandpa? Have you come to take me home? You must have heard about the matter.

GRANDMASTER
My daughter, I’m afraid you are too late. The boy has left monster territory.

[The shock of the news caused her to Blue to fade. The floating luggage dropped on the floor with a loud thud. Her unfortunate university mate yelped from the impact.]

LUCIDIA
Have you checked Wyrmbrood? What about the surrounding islands?

GRANDMASTER
We’ve found nothing. Judge Pashowar has requested for Scott Wiley to handle this case.

LUCIDIA
Let me help too.

GRANDMASTER
You can’t. Judge Pashowar wants you to focus on your studies. Please trust him.

LUCIDIA
Negative. I won’t trust Uncle James. He’ll delegate it to others who have no means of confirming the truth.

Chronographer Finnai is not invincible, Grandpa. She can only focus on official Magus Association affairs. Gaelic’s case will soon sink to the bottom of the priority list.

GRANDMASTER
Lucidia dear, you’re still officially a student. Though you had helped Judge Pashowar in the past, it was under the guidance of a mentor. You do not have certification to be an independent Chronographer.

Besides, there’s no guarantee that your findings will be accepted. The court cannot take every Chronographer’s visions as absolute truth.

LUCIDIA
Are you telling me that I can’t change anything? Are you telling me that I can’t help someone who’s dear to me?

[Magic hums in the air. Frightened students jostle into each other as they try to avoid the imminent ground zero.]

LUCIDIA
What’s the point of studying then?! Why should I even bother anymore?!

GRANDMASTER
…I understand it’s frustrating.

LUCIDIA
No, you don’t! None of you do!

GRANDMASTER
My daughter, you cannot help anyone without knowledge. Finish your exams first. Then, you may return home to assist Sir Wiley. Is that acceptable?

LUCIDIA
……………
Yes, Grandpa. I will return to my room now.

NOELLE
U-um, Lucy? I’ll help you carry back the suitcase. You take care of yourself first, okay?

LUCIDIA
Thank you.

[Noelle stayed behind.]

NOELLE
Grandmaster? I want to apologize in Lucidia’s stead. I’m sure she didn’t mean to say what she said. Please don’t be angry with her.

GRANDMASTER
Ah, young lady, thank you for the thought. It’s expected, however.

A thousand years I have lived and every youngster had exclaimed such at least once. Rude as it may seem, their words are not without a point: I am not them. I won’t feel exactly the same. It would be presumptuous of me to claim otherwise.

Despite everything, I’m happy to see Lucidia having a kind friend like you.

NOELLE
Hahaha… Y-you’re welcome! I… I’m glad I could help.

Oh, I better check up on Lucy!

Good day, Lord Berendin.

* * *

[The Berendin Manor, 2044]

LUCIDIA
Welcome to the Berendin Manor, Rudolph Holiday.

RUDY
Aww shucks, no need to be so formal. You're no Nerdly. You’re my sweetheart’s university friend! Just call me Rudy, ‘kay?

LUCIDIA
Preference acknowledged.

RUDY
Man. I never thought that I’d ever enter human territory in my life. Yup. Bucket list fulfilled. I can die a happy man now.

NOELLE
Dad, didn’t we discuss this already? We’re not stressing Lucy out with morbid jokes right before your surgery.

RUDY
But you’re grinning!

NOELLE
This grin is enchanted with Awkward +9 and YOU KNOW IT.

LUCIDIA
It is heartwarming to see the two of you so close. Today is only a scan with the Chronograph. Surgery will happen at a later date, depending on the data retrieved.

In the meantime, please make yourselves at home. You are guests of House Berendin.

RUDY
If home is what you’re offering… then let’s turn on the telly! I wanna know what humans watch for entertainment. Doesn’t matter if it’s stupid. In fact, the stupider the better!

LUCIDIA
Request accepted. Would you like some snacks to go with your viewing experience?

RUDY
Sure thing! I’m starting to feel peckish too.

LUCIDIA
A healthy appetite is a good sign. Please, come this way.

[After providing for Rudolph Holiday’s requests, Lucidia prepares to leave for the Chronograph. However, she notices Noelle lingering around.]

LUCIDIA
Noelle. I’ve known you long enough. You have something on your mind, but you’re too afraid to say it.

NOELLE
Har har har… you got me.
Um. I heard the Trackers found Gaelic.

LUCIDIA
Accurate. His first sighting was in 2043 on Halloween, but he wasn’t caught until Spring 2044.

NOELLE
How… is he?…

LUCIDIA
He has consigned himself to the wild. I’m still gathering data about his condition as Patient No.1. Perhaps my presence will encourage him to receive proper treatment.

I’m doing this for my own sake too. The Seer’s Curse is not studied enough. It doesn’t even have a proper medical term.

NOELLE
You know… we’ve been friends for almost six years, but I still know next to nothing about your magic. What I DO know comes only from publicly released information.

LUCIDIA
Query, what have you found?

NOELLE
Skeleton monsters are of human ancestry. They specialize in the materialization of bones. Those with special Eyes are called Seers, and burn Determination to fuel their visions. That’s why this power is also nicknamed ‘The Fire of Humanity’.

There’s an extra medical caution for children that develop Seer’s Eyes. If their parents are ill-prepared to educate one, they can request for a Seer’s Seal. This can be removed once the child reaches adulthood… but it must be done under the watch of a medical professional.

Did I get that right?

LUCIDIA
You have researched well. The ancient wisdom states the following: ‘Those Who See Beyond Time have received both a ‘Blessing’ and a ‘Curse’.’

Without the Seal, a child inevitably undergoes Awakening, the final transformation to use their Eye to its fullest. This process may permanently alter their mental and physical capacities.

NOELLE
That kind of adaptation is normal, isn’t it? Other monsters grow to match their magic too.

LUCIDIA
Under common conventions, that would be the case. However, as I’ve discovered, The Fire of Humanity is indeed a fire: indiscriminate and all-consuming. A fire kept stable keeps a hearth warm. A fire unleashed will destroy an entire home.

When the Fire of Humanity burns brighter than the bearer can handle, it devours their ‘humanity’. The weakest Aspects are lost to the flame, rendering a Seer ‘Cursed’ with a permanent mental unbalance.

How ironic the name is…

…I am just as much of a victim as Gaelic.

If only there’s a way to regain what we’ve lost, perhaps the Curse can be lifted.

NOELLE
Huh?! What? Y-you’re a victim too?!

LUCIDIA
I was fortunate in two ways. First, I was eight years old and therefore my brain had already formed most of its core functions. Second, I received proper treatment on time. That doesn’t mean I came out unscathed. My mechanical tendencies prove otherwise.

Seers on active duty in the Magus Association -- such as myself -- are expected to experience stress and injury, which exacerbates the effects of this ‘curse’. Chronographers face the highest risk.

NOELLE
So… that’s why they retire early in comparison to their lifespan.

LUCIDIA
Accurate. There is a reason why Garamond is a legend in his own right. Despite being an active Observer, he’s still fit for duty after two whole centuries.

Excuse me. I shouldn’t tarry. If the scans turn out as I suspect, I need to take care of some urgent business first.

* * *

[The Berendin Manor, 2044]

NOELLE
Isn’t the skyline amazing? Too bad it’s going to rain soon.

RUDY
Yup. It is a sight, alright! There’s city lights as far as the eyes can see. Humans sure have taken over the world.

NOELLE
Dad? I never dared to ask this but… have you ever hated humans?

RUDY
Pfah, no way! I’m not the kind of guy to hold pointless grudges. There are good humans, and there are bad humans. It’s case-by-case.

What’s wrong? Are you still afraid of them? I thought you’d shed that fear from hanging out with Lady Lucy.

NOELLE
Har har har! Dad. Very FUNNY. Lucy is a MONSTER, not a HUMAN. Why would I be afraid of HER?

RUDY
Aha, can’t admit that you used to be TERRIFIED of skeletons?

NOELLE
D-don’t tell her THAT!

[The distinct click-clack of women’s shoes announces Lucidia’s arrival.]

RUDY
Speak of the devil, it’s the star of the show! All done with your science stuff, Lady Lucy?

LUCIDIA
Affirmative. My apologies for having made you wait for as long as you did. Analysis indicates that your diagnosis is suitable for this experimental procedure. However, I require you to sign a second document before we could proceed. Please have a seat.

[With a pen and some documents in hand, she beckons them to sit down across the table from her.]

NOELLE
U-uh… I thought we already signed the papers to take part in the clinical trial?

LUCIDIA
There’s one more paper to sign. As per protocol, I cannot install something without your fullest informed consent.

The crux of the matter is: Rudy’s illness stems from a failure to generate his own ‘Determination’.

NOELLE
Huh? T-that’s not what the doctor told us.

RUDY
Isn’t this Determination stuff a human-specific magic? Reds like the Supreme Judge are FULL of those!

LUCIDIA
That is a false assumption. Monsters too have Determination. Every Psychia, monster or not, contains all seven Aspects. The main difference lies in their exact balance.

A human’s Psychia takes the colour of their Major. That is, the Aspect they produce the most. On the other hand, Monsters have all seven traits held in a tight equilibrium. This is what makes our Psychia white.

Since Monster physiology depends on all seven Aspects to function, inability to produce any one side of the spectrum will lead to severe complications.

RUDY
Uh, Lady? I… I don’t think I understood a word ya said.

LUCIDIA
Are you familiar with a human’s vital organs, Rudy?

RUDY
Uh, enough? Like, I know the heart keeps blood a pumpin’.

LUCIDIA
The heart is a fine example. Imagine what would happen if a heart fails to pump properly. One would feel faint. Weak. And if it continues to deteriorate, it would cease to function, resulting in eventual death.

Your Psychia’s inability to regulate and produce sufficient Determination runs on a similar principal.

RUDY
Well then, that ain’t good. I’m in one hot pickle!

LUCIDIA
Accurate. Hence our current predicament. Initially, I thought that installing a Determination Pulse Regulator -- DTPR -- would be sufficient to alleviate the problem. However, your Psychia has shown advanced decay. Pure mechanical assistance is no longer applicable.

Therefore, I propose to install a more complex system. It will be a combination of the aforementioned DTPR and an implant from a donor Psychia.

NOELLE
In that case. P-p-please use my Psychia, Lucy! I’ll give as much as you need.

LUCIDIA
Negative. For Rudy’s case, it would require replacement of more than half of your respective Psychia to achieve the desired result. In the off-chance that you’d survive the procedure, your and your father’s characters will completely change. In other words, you will cease to be the individuals you once were.

The only truly suitable monster donor is an exact clone of himself. That clone then needs to be euthanized humanely. As you can imagine, it is statistically impossible and ethically compromised.

Alternative: use a human donor. Supreme Judge James Pashowar makes for an ideal match with Rudolph Holliday.

NOELLE
W-what??? No way! A human?!?

RUDY
I know you’re revolutionary, but this is something else. Isn’t that the same as a Merger or whatnot?!

LUCIDIA
Similar in principle, different in execution.

Please allow me to explain. Rudy suffers from Determination deficiency and only Determination. Therefore, his donor must be of the purest Red. This is to prevent the donor’s other Aspects from overloading the healthy sections of his Psychia. An impure donor will just shift him from one imbalance to another.

In order to keep the Determination output at monster-safe levels, I will have to make a graft from only the tiniest sliver of our human donor’s Psychia. This will not harm Judge Pashowar in any way. All Magi rely on fragmentation to increase casting efficiency and to protect themselves from DEMONS.

Now, I understand that you may be worried that the human donor will also cause a change in Rudy’s behaviour. It is indeed a possible side-effect.

However, Judge Pashowar shares a similar spectrum with Rudy. They’re both big-hearted men with an outgoing personality. Even if there ever was a leak, it wouldn’t be noticeable.

NOELLE
I see…

LUCIDIA
The procedure will be done in two parts. First, the installation of the DTPR. This will prevent the graft from ever overloading Rudy’s Psychia with excessive Determination.

Once the DTPR is proven stable, I will move on to the second part: the implementation of Judge Pashowar’s Psychia graft. From then onwards, it will be a week of close monitoring under the Chronograph.

NOELLE
What if… what if we don’t want to go through with this? How much time does Dad have left?

LUCIDIA
I’m afraid to inform you that your father is in the last stage of his disease. He has one year at most. And I cannot give any guarantees that he won’t fall down before that. Once the Psychia fails, his condition will deteriorate at a rapid pace.

Due to the risks involved, I cannot proceed unless both Noelle and Rudolph Holiday consents to the surgery. I will not proceed if either one party declines.

NOELLE
What about Mom? As Dad’s wife, doesn’t she have a say?

LUCIDIA
Mayor Holiday has already consented. This is her signature.

[Lucidia presents the Mayor’s copy to the Holidays.]

NOELLE
………………………
I… I will consent too.

[Noelle tries to sign the documents while holding back her tears.]

RUDY
Whoa-- sweetheart, we don’t need to be hasty. We still got tomorrow to think. Next week too!

NOELLE
Dad. You may not have next week. You may not even have tomorrow. You could literally DIE anytime!

L-Lucy. Please. Save my Dad. He is everything to me.

[Noelle signs the paper to the best of her ability.]

LUCIDIA
Rudolph Holiday, it’s up to you now.

RUDY
I’m jumping in without any hesitations. I ain’t a buck for nothin’ Lady!

Look at my girl. Never seen her step up to the plate like that before! I can’t back down now. Gotta be a good role model for my sweetheart.

I want her to know that even if we gotta do the scary thing, we gotta do it!

LUCIDIA
Your spirit is inspirational.

[Rudy also signs the document.]

LUCIDIA
Thank you. Noelle. Rudy. I will do my absolute best.

* * *

[The Berendin Manor, 2044]

RUDY
This is Halloween, this is Halloween, dadada~ dadada~

GRANDMASTER
My, oh my. Mister Holiday, I’m glad to see you in such a jovial cheer. You sure live up to your family’s name.

RUDY
A holiday is a holiday for me! Doesn’t matter if it’s Christmas or Halloween. Besides, I can’t wait to actually walk in a human city. My pals back home are gonna be sooooo jealous.

Are you going to join us tonight?

GRANDMASTER
I plan to, though I would not be wearing my uniform. It stands out too much even among the costumed merrymakers.

RUDY
To be honest, I thought you’re gonna eschew this pagan spooky season. You’re quite the holy bone after all.

I bet it’s because your little girl doesn’t leave the house much. Looking for excuses to spend more time with her?

GRANDMASTER
Assumptions, assumptions everywhere. The answers are mine to keep. But you are right on one guess. The fatherly one.

RUDY
Hah! I knew it! Holy bone or not, you’re still part of the Dad Club. You’ve raised a fine lady there. I owe her my life.

GRANDMASTER
Thank you for the kind words, Mister Holiday.

RUDY
Where’s Judge Pashypash? I haven’t even seen his shadow today.

GRANDMASTER
He has already left to attend to official Magus Association matters.

RUDY
Already? Awww that’s a shame. I wanted to treat him to a nice cup of mulled wine.

Y’know, maybe this Christmas I’m gonna dress up as Santa. I’m DONE with being Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer! I’ve been playing that role since I was a wee kiddo, man.

GRANDMASTER
What prompted this change? Will you satisfy this old bone’s curiosity?

RUDY
Easy! It’s because I’m a NEW MAN! Surviving a terminal illness changes one’s outlook on life.

GRANDMASTER
Indeed, indeed. I understand that all too well.

RUDY
Now, if I got an actual hint of Judge Pashypash’s jolly spirit, I bet I can really put the ‘Ho Ho Ho’ in ‘Holiday’!

[The fathers leave to a different section of the mansion. The girls giggle together, having overheard the conversation.]

LUCIDIA
Grandpa is a polite cryptic as usual.

NOELLE
And my Dad is as cheeky as ever. Some things don’t change, huh? I’m so happy to see him being his healthy old self again. Not worrying about him suddenly dying has lifted a huge weight off my shoulders.

LUCIDIA
Will you start looking for a Magitek-related job now? Perhaps resume your studies? You’ve stayed in the workshop for quite a while now…

NOELLE
A-are you worried that I’ll forget everything? I’m fine, Lucy. I still read the textbooks from time to time.

I would rather get a job in Lemuria itself. Mu has more prospects for my field, but I think it's better if I stayed closer to home. Someone has to watch out for Dad while he recovers.

LUCIDIA
Hmm… in the future, I might need some assistance in building a specialized medical facility. Lemuria has the highest population of Seers, but their healthcare is lacking. Asylums do not have the means for consistent rehabilitation.

[Lucidia then breathed out a long, tired sigh.]

NOELLE
What’s wrong?

LUCIDIA
Oh, apologies. I don’t mean to be dour. Gaelic’s case just happens to me on my mind a lot. Today especially.

NOELLE
Because of Halloween, right?

LUCIDIA
Yes. A whole year has come and gone. Yet, I am no nearer in solving the problem of the Seer’s Curse.

Furthermore, I’m having trouble convincing monster society to accept my theories of Determination. So far, your father is the only one fortunate enough to benefit from the experimental treatment.

…‘You cannot help anyone without knowledge’… is quite the truth after all.

NOELLE
Lucy. It’s fine. You’ve helped this family at least. That’s a big step forward. Even if the others don’t listen, my Dad and I will vouch for you. Okay?

LUCIDIA
Thank you.

NOELLE
By the way, I think calling the whole disease a ‘Curse’ is like… super depressing! It reminds me of those overdramatic RPGs. Why don’t we try giving it less doomsday-sounding name?

LUCIDIA
Hmmm… What do you think of ‘Overburn’? I thought it’s a little on the nose.

NOELLE
That’s not bad. It sounds more accurate. Better than telling someone they’re CURSED FOREEEEEEEEVER. Wooooooo~~~~

LUCIDIA
Well… I can’t argue with that.

NOELLE
C’mon, Lucy. Let’s get ready for HALLOWEEN! Forget about SERIOUS BUSINESS for a while. Aren't ya looking forward to bagging LOTS OF CANDY? I sure am!

LUCIDIA
I’ll try to enjoy the festivities.

Noelle, thank you. For being such a good friend.

NOELLE
What do you mean, Lucy? You’re a GOOD FRIEND too.

LUCIDIA
I… I’m just being melodramatic.

You’re right. Let’s not keep our fathers waiting.